Colorado cannabis tours go on sale after it becomes first U.S. state to legalise drug

Just a month after Colorado became the first U.S. state to legalise the use of marijuana, a host of companies have launched the first 'cannabis tours' aimed at holidaymakers.

My 420 Tours and Spiro Tours are among the operators offering marijuana-themed trips, while Colorado Rocky Mountain High Tours is attempting to lure an older, sophisticated crowd to relive their 'college' days.

Spiro is offering what it calls 'premium cannabis tours' for 'the intelligent consumer' so that they can explore the newly-legalised drug in a safe environment.

New year, new law: It is now legal to buy cannabis in the state of Colorado

The company states that: 'By combining Colorado's already incredible sights and activities with a concierge approach to cannabis, we offer a sophisticated way for adults to enjoy this newly legal activity.'

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A video on the website explains more about the new tours, saying that Spiro wants to 'pave the way for people to come and experience this industry' as well as 'immerse themselves in the cannabis culture.'

The cannabis-themed tours have launched just weeks after the drug was legalised on January 1, for use by people aged over 21.

Rocky mountain high: The U.S. state is normally associated with its soaring peaks rather than marijuana

Both residents and visitors are allowed to possess cannabis, as long as it was bought in the state, where it is taxed. But there are no Amsterdam-style coffee shops, just stores selling the drug, which is illegal to smoke in public places.

The measure was first approved back in 2012, with the Colorado counties where big ski
resorts are located appearing to be the most in favour of the legalisation.

The home county of Aspen approved the move by a margin of more
than 3-to-1, and more than two-thirds approved marijuana in the home county
of Colorado's largest ski resort, Vail.

However, not everyone is in favour of the legalisation. Ski resorts are worried that they will lose their family-friendly image and have also reminded smokers that the drug is still illegal in lift queues and on the slopes as they are on federal land.

Jenn Rudolph, a spokeswoman for the industry group Colorado Ski Country USA, said: 'Colorado is a family-friendly ski destination, and the law is clear that you can't smoke marijuana in public. Resorts are going to do what they need to do to enforce that.'

Tourism chiefs have also said they will not be using the legalisation of cannabis to market the destination, instead focusing on its mountain landscapes.

However, tour companies and even an airline are capitalising on the legalisation. Domestic carrier Spirit Airlines is offering discounted fares to Colorado advertising that 'the no smoking sign is off'.